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General Forge Forums => Site Discussion => Topic started by: Denise on February 01, 2007, 02:25:41 PM

Title: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 01, 2007, 02:25:41 PM
Wasn't sure where to put this, so this'll have to do!  (Conventions?  But it's more than just a Gen Con thang... Publishers?  But publishers aren't eligible to run for judgehood, although they can vote...)
New this year, I've opened up the judge selection to non-EN Worlders.  This means that you don't have to be a member of EN World to be a judge, nor to vote.  Even if Forge peeps don't/can't run for judge, I'd like to encourage 'em all to cast their votes for the judges for whom they feel represent best their interests.
More details at the new ENnies site at www.ennieawards.com

Thanks!
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Jason Morningstar on February 01, 2007, 04:20:10 PM
Thanks for the heads-up, Denise.  What prompted the change?
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 01, 2007, 08:28:01 PM
Quote from: Jason Morningstar on February 01, 2007, 04:20:10 PM
Thanks for the heads-up, Denise.  What prompted the change?

First of all, I was sick of the original mechanic of using an EN World poll for the judge selection.  I disliked how you could see the results as they unfolded, and how it seemed as though your chances of being elected a judge were directly proportional to your post count and popularity on EN World.  Also, there are some inherent flaws with the counting method of the polls.  The Single Tranferrable Vote combined with a secret ballot would present the best results - and less easy min/maxed voting manipulation.

So with the fact we were going to be changing around the voting method, I started considering changing a little more!

Secondly, over the years the ENnies have evolved from being a d20 award to being the RPG award.  In order to reduce the (real or perceived) d20 bias associated with the Awards because of their origins with EN World, we decided to open up the voting to non-EN Worlders a few years back.  This year is the natural progression of making it more accessible to gamers (well, at least those online!)

Two years ago (IIRC) we enstated the rule that there must always be at least one new judge and one experienced judge, that way preventing the nominations from becoming too predictable, but also ensuring a little bit of continuity.  Still, though, the judge selection based entirely from the EN World pool, and elected by EN Wolrders exclusively made for what could turn out to be an EN World popularity contest.

By opening not only the nominations to all gamers, but having all gamers vote for the nominees, I think we're going to create a more representative voice of gamers online.  The ENnies are already touted as the première RPG awards, it's time that all gamers, not just EN Worlders, be more actively involved in the entire process.

Whew!
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Ron Edwards on February 01, 2007, 08:29:48 PM
I am in awe. Denise, that is a momentous decision which took a lot of guts.

Best, Ron
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Jonathan Walton on February 02, 2007, 03:09:18 PM
Denise, this is awesome.  I have a few questions.

Judges cannot have ANY professional relationship with ANY entity that published a roleplaying game in 2006, even if that entity's products were not submitted for an ENnie?  If so, that excludes most indie games designers that I can think of, but we could nominate, like, Andy Kitkowski or Adam Dray or Lisa Provost (not that they would necessarily have the time) or someone else who has no relationship to any game published in 2006.

Is there a sense of how many products a single judge will review?  Is the answer "all of them that get submitted"?  If so, wow, that is a HUGE commitment.
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 02, 2007, 09:18:24 PM
Good questions, J.

Yep, each judge has to evaluate each and every product submitted- that consists of IIRC about four to six boxes full of books, accessories, and CDs.  I already have a case of books and other goodies ready to ship from entries submitted at Gen Con 06.  It's hundreds, possibly hours worth of reading.  Depending on their time constraints, many judges take a week or two off work in May/June in order to complete the task.  The good news is, you get a bunch of excellent products, free Gen Con passes and a place to stay, and an unforgettable experience!

And you're right, chances are, most people here have don't qualify on account of having produced a game in the past year.  These are meant to be fandom awards, not professional ones- plus we want to reduce the chances of bias (real or perceived).
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Eero Tuovinen on February 02, 2007, 10:55:24 PM
Hey, I just realized that I actually qualify for this. What do you know. Now I'll just need to figure out how to get the diaspora to vote for me in this showdown. After that it'll be Gencon time!
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Eero Tuovinen on February 02, 2007, 11:46:46 PM
Damn. Thinking it through, I actually notice now that I'm a publisher myself, albeit in a different language area. How the heck is anybody supposed to get their paws on Ennies judgeship with this kind of requirements... I guess it's just not meant for us :(
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 03, 2007, 09:27:40 AM
At the very least, don't forget to vote for your choice of judge!  When the nominations are announced, read their statements and ask 'em questions!
Title: Getting involved
Post by: Denise on February 03, 2007, 10:10:27 AM
I just started up a thread over at http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=187231 in which I hope voters will ask questions of the nominees.  If you don't want to join EN World, feel free to ask a question in here and I'll post it over there.
(I was going to start up our own forums to keep it on neutral ground, but I don't want to stir the pot that much (yet)!)
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: greyorm on February 03, 2007, 02:44:22 PM
Denise:

I have a judge-suitability question: let's say I am a publisher but have not published a new game or other product in 2006. However, I started selling a print version of a product for 2006 which was previously only available as a PDF. Would this disqualify that person from being a judge?
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 03, 2007, 08:58:44 PM
Sorry, Grey, but you definitely qualify as being a publisher, so wouldn't be able to be a judge!

Quote from: greyorm on February 03, 2007, 02:44:22 PM
Denise:

I have a judge-suitability question: let's say I am a publisher but have not published a new game or other product in 2006. However, I started selling a print version of a product for 2006 which was previously only available as a PDF. Would this disqualify that person from being a judge?
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Clyde L. Rhoer on February 04, 2007, 02:41:20 AM
Hi Denise,

I had a couple of questions. Does playtesting disqualify someone? Also when exactly is a person considered a publisher? When they start working on a game that may or may not see the light of day, when they finally print the game, or when they first attempt to sell the game? I'm working on my first game which could possibly be done by Gen Con this year, but will not be sold before then. I would obviously have to have the books printed before August.
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 04, 2007, 10:39:08 AM
Hi Clyde, and thanks for your interest!

Playtesting is judged on a case by case basis with factors such as renumeration, depth of involvement, whether the publisher is entering, etc. 
But if you're publishing this year, we couldn't have you as a judge- imagine if your book, freshly-released at Gen Con Indy, was touted as The Next Big Thing, and then there you are, on stage at the ENnies as a judge!  The optics on that one would not be good.

Basically, the Board takes into consideration the two following factors:
1. Fairness/Impartiality.  We have to try to avoid all possibilities of conflict of interest.
2. Fan Awards.  These are not Industry awards, these are awards for fans, run by fans.  Professionals- publishers, freelancers, etc. cannot judge.

Sorry you can't be involved this time around- but you are certainly welcome to vote for a judge and for your favourite products!  It looks as though we may have at least one candidate from the Forge...

Quote from: Clyde L. Rhoer on February 04, 2007, 02:41:20 AM
Hi Denise,

I had a couple of questions. Does playtesting disqualify someone? Also when exactly is a person considered a publisher? When they start working on a game that may or may not see the light of day, when they finally print the game, or when they first attempt to sell the game? I'm working on my first game which could possibly be done by Gen Con this year, but will not be sold before then. I would obviously have to have the books printed before August.
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Clyde L. Rhoer on February 04, 2007, 12:27:03 PM
Hi Denise,

Gotcha. Thanks.
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: greyorm on February 04, 2007, 03:19:31 PM
Quote from: Denise on February 03, 2007, 08:58:44 PMSorry, Grey, but you definitely qualify as being a publisher, so wouldn't be able to be a judge!

That's what I thought. Thanks for the answer!
Title: Where we're at
Post by: Denise on February 05, 2007, 10:39:59 PM
We now have seven judge candidates, and an interesting discussion (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=187231) going on EN World with fans asking the judges their opinions on certain topics.

I don't know if any Forge peeps would like to start up a thread of their own to which I could link from the ENnies site (that'd be awesome!), or if they'd like to join EN World, but I think it could be beneficial to see where the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.

Nominations close Saturday, so please don't delay if you're planning on entering.  Also, I try to post the entries every night before heading to bed, so if you don't see your entry on the site  (ennieawards.com/judgenominees.html) and you're sure you sent it, please contact me
Title: Question the Candidates
Post by: Denise on February 05, 2007, 10:48:56 PM
So, what would you like to ask the potential judges?  Thus far we have:

1. How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?
2. Do you have a favourite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?
3. How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?
4. Mutant or troll?
5. mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?
6. are you in a long term relationship or a job which requires you to be on call or have little free time? how much time are you willing to spend to see this project to completion? are the outside factors going to effect your commitment? (a non gaming SO, a sick child, an aging parent, a new job, a move, planning a marriage, etc...)
7. what are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?
8. 4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?
9. Which is your favorite Beatle?
10. Software. What role do you see for software in DnD? Do you use software in DnD (more than Word/PDF etc)? Are minis more important than software?
*
12.  What game(s) are you playing in now / have played in in the past year?

*Question 11 asked about bribery, so I'm skipping that one.
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Eero Tuovinen on February 06, 2007, 12:35:55 AM
"Does System matter?" seems like a given to me ;)
Title: Questioning the nominees
Post by: Denise on February 06, 2007, 09:31:37 PM
Heya Eero, howsabout starting up a new thread with the question?  I'd hate for any questions be lost amongst this thread with all the eligibility questions, y'know?  As soon as it's going, I'll send the nominees over here, and perhaps other Forge members can contribute some questions, too!
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Ron Edwards on February 06, 2007, 10:59:19 PM
New threads should go into the Conventions forum. That's sort of the best fit, I think.

Best, Ron
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Calithena on February 08, 2007, 04:55:09 PM
How do you send in a nomination form? Can you nominate yourself or does someone else need to nominate you? Is it too late to realistically run at this point?
Title: Re: 2007 ENnies- increasing Indie participation again
Post by: Denise on February 08, 2007, 05:34:00 PM
Quote from: Calithena on February 08, 2007, 04:55:09 PM
How do you send in a nomination form? Can you nominate yourself or does someone else need to nominate you? Is it too late to realistically run at this point?

There are nomination forms on http://www.ennieawards.com/2007.html along with descriptions of the perks, responsibilities and qualifications of judges.  You can nominate yourself, but you need another person to vouch for you.  A 250 word bio/description and photo are optional, but highly advisable as is participation in the judge Q&A threads on various boards (linked to from the nominees page)